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Friday, April 30, 2010

There are so many fun and exciting activities that go on before Prom to make sure it's a great event: spirit week, hair appointments, nail appointments, picking up the tux, ordering flowers, assembling the perfect Prom play list, getting the right people at the right table, making sure the batteries in the camera are fully charged and many others.

This week, it has been the same for Example.

There have been various activities that Example has sponsored to make sure students enjoy Prom, remember Prom, live through Prom and make God-pleasing decisions before, during and after Prom.

On Monday students pulled into the parking lot and saw a crashed car on display. It's a visual reminder of what to avoid. On the cars, were statistics that revealed the realistic dangers of drinking: Each year 5,000 people under 21 die as a result of underage drinking.

There were also scripture passages that reminded students of God's plan for their lives and the source of real strength found in our Creator and Savior: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him..." -James 1:5

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - I Corinthians 10:31

On Tuesday Frank M. Jones, III from Macomb Family Services, spoke to the health classes about the pressures, dangers, solutions and alternatives to alcohol and drug use.

Each day before chapel students explained why they were not drinking or using drugs at Prom. It took a great deal of courage to stand in front of peers and explain why they care about making God-pleasing decisions, why they care about their bodies, and why they care about their friends.

On Thursday morning students blew up balloons and attached messages that reminded students to make God-pleasing decisions at Prom and every day of their lives.

...later that day the students attached the messages to every car in the parking lot.

All week students could read the explanations on the bulletin board that explained why people were choosing not to drink during Prom.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

On April 27 nearly 200 people gathered in the music room to discuss the issue of underage drinking and drug use.

Nancy Donahue, prevention director for MacombFamily Services, facilitated the night's discussion. The panel consisted of Reverend Scott Benjamin of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Detroit, an Emergency Medical Technician and five, recovering addicts who shared their stories, struggles, experiences and wisdom with students and parents.

Statistics reveal trends and information concerning this vital issue, but the questions from students and parents, the panel's experience and the explanations from Nancy Donahue provided meaningful insights that help all in attendance understand and deal with underage drinking and drug use.

I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield...and my stronghold.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Saturday's Example event focused on various relay competitions. Brooke's team didn't win the water relay but at least the ice water cooled her down a bit. Once again forty-eight teenagers laughed, ate pizza and enjoyed knowing that alcohol does not have to be included to have fun.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

The shoe relay was a great idea until you had to pick up somebody else's warm, moist footwear.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"Matt James fell off a balcony. He died. He was 17, four years under the legal drinking age. Police say he was drunk. This would be a tragic story if it were an isolated story.

It's more tragic because it is not...."

Mitch Albom recently wrote a column on the tragic death of Matt James. If you think Spring Break and the debauchery that goes along with it is just a high school rite of passage, read this essay.Click here to read Albom's column

Don't forget about Example's town hall meeting on Tuesday, April 27 at 7:00 where a panel of experts will facilitate a discussion on underage drinking.